Apparently he's on the board of trustees for the USSF and has made a respectable career in finance in addition to 10 years experience working with Monaco.

So here he is. This is the man that will either put an end to the miserable history of GMs had or continue the streak.

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Soler may have botched some trades over the summer of 2011 but he's done a great job overall since he started, especially this year I think he assembled a fantastic squad with a mix of internationals, Americans, veterans, and young guys. I'm really surprised to see him go, I wouldn't have minded at all if he stayed on next year with a different coach.

Houllier has plans to speak with potential candidates to replace Backe coach once his contract expires, including a well-known international coach who has worked previously in England’s Premier League, according to a person with knowledge of the situation.

Odd timing. I've felt most of the moves this year have been quite good. It seems to me there is an adjustment phase for foreign executives to learn how to operate under the restraints of MLS rules. I sure hope this new guy is brought up to speed quickly.

This change is a bit of a head scratcher. The learning curve for a "foreign" general manager in MLS is usually severe. The new guy was educated in the U.S. apparently, but how much time has he spent here? How well does he know the ins-and-outs of MLS player acquisition rules?

This franchise is at a very critical juncture timing wise.

It's a general rule of thumb in the sports business that there is a three-year "bump" after a team moves into a newly built stadium. Attendance spikes for a bit, but after three years the newness fad is over and crowds revert back to their previous size. (I haven't looked at the numbers recently, but did a bump ever actually happen in the first place -- with any sizable increase?)

2013 will be "season four" in Red Bull Arena. No more "bump."

And it all comes after Chris Heck obliterated the season-ticket-holding fanbase in Sections 125, 126 & 127.

If this team really wanted to do something good, they could start by rolling back the season ticket prices to pre-Heck levels, issue a public apology, and invite back all the former season-ticket holders who fled when prices unfairly doubled.

Why now? Why fire someone who after dealing with learning on the job did quite well navigating MLS this year? Why replace him with a money man? or more strangers to MLS?

Red Bull still prefers to be outsiders to MLS

A stupid and pointless decision.

Idiots

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Undoubtedly they are clueless, but the change isn't bad at is seem, Soler will remind as a "Adviser", so he will continue having for this couple of months the last word and advice....And maybe they want to have this people at hand before the Drafts and the Pre-Season and that is a good thing to do, the only reproach against them is, why this people have to be outsiders?....

Soler was a good GM but if this hiring means Backe will get the boot and a competent HC will come in then I'm for it. What coach can it possibly be? Harry Redknapp? Kenny Daglish? McLeish? Fabio Capello lulz?

Soler built a deep talented team from a flaming pile of $hit in only 2 1/2 seasons. THIS is his reward?

I f#cking hate the Red Bull brand. What a bunch of f#cking idiots.

Drinking Monster from now on.

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I don't disagree with the conclusion (although I'll still drink Red Bull), but...I'm not as pissed about this. Soler seemed like an arrogant jerk and fired ABMOD at the beginning of the season - karma is a beyotch. Sure he was learning, but sticking with Backe, spending millions on guys like Rafa and Cahill, trading a bunch of guys for DeRo and then bailing on him, etc. It's a mixed bag. I like Cahill but he doesn't even begin to move the needle in ways he needs to, and I'd be okay with firing Soler just for giving Rafa 4 years.

On the one hand it's short-sighted and stupid, but on the other, if you are going to spend millions on guys like Rafa and Cahill, they better freaking deliver on and off the field. I like Cahill and the jury is still out on him - it is definitely an adjustment to this league, but he's not the sexy DP Red Bull wants. It's dumb but I get it.

We could certainly win this year, but we aren't even close to being favorites and if we lose? I'd be totally fine with firing him, especially if we lose because of Backe stupidity. That's on Soler.

It's weird timing, it's not what solid decent organizations do, but until we hire Peter Wilt, I'm not going to hold my breath waiting for Red Bull to do things the right way.

Soler had his chance, he was improving, but ultimately, can you honestly say we'd be that different a team minus Cahill and Rafa? That's a lot of cash for not much production.

Timing is odd, very big surprise, but as many have said I am indifferent to this move. The GM can't do much for the rest of the season, but I will be curious how this affects what we do next year as all DP slots are taken (unless Rafa is gone). Though the way the article states it Houllier is the actual GM in US terms and de Bontin is taking over for Chris Heck. They just called de Bontin GM so we have one

Maybe I am missing something here but it does not say that Soler was let go out right. I kind of feel like this is more of a demotion than anything. And it also does not seem to indicate that Hollier is actually coming here. So it would make sense that Soler actually stays on as an adviser to Hollier in NY. Which would mean Hollier has the finally say on all transactions. That would actually make a great deal more sense.

Interesting article on the switch in the Post. They suggest that the change had to do with the organizations return on their investment. I think we will hear much less talk about expensive expenditures, like a training ground, in the future. Also we will see a change in the way the talent on the teams are put together in the future. While we will still have a couple designated players, I suspect the 2nd tier players will be less expense. No more Sebastian Le Touxs sitting on the bench.

Maybe I am missing something here but it does not say that Soler was let go out right. I kind of feel like this is more of a demotion than anything. And it also does not seem to indicate that Hollier is actually coming here. So it would make sense that Soler actually stays on as an adviser to Hollier in NY. Which would mean Hollier has the finally say on all transactions. That would actually make a great deal more sense.

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We did the same thing with Agass when we got rid of him. Advisor is a way of saving face maybe.

I don't disagree with the conclusion (although I'll still drink Red Bull), but...I'm not as pissed about this. Soler seemed like an arrogant jerk and fired ABMOD at the beginning of the season - karma is a beyotch. Sure he was learning, but sticking with Backe, spending millions on guys like Rafa and Cahill, trading a bunch of guys for DeRo and then bailing on him, etc. It's a mixed bag. I like Cahill but he doesn't even begin to move the needle in ways he needs to, and I'd be okay with firing Soler just for giving Rafa 4 years.

On the one hand it's short-sighted and stupid, but on the other, if you are going to spend millions on guys like Rafa and Cahill, they better freaking deliver on and off the field. I like Cahill and the jury is still out on him - it is definitely an adjustment to this league, but he's not the sexy DP Red Bull wants. It's dumb but I get it.

We could certainly win this year, but we aren't even close to being favorites and if we lose? I'd be totally fine with firing him, especially if we lose because of Backe stupidity. That's on Soler.

It's weird timing, it's not what solid decent organizations do, but until we hire Peter Wilt, I'm not going to hold my breath waiting for Red Bull to do things the right way.

Soler had his chance, he was improving, but ultimately, can you honestly say we'd be that different a team minus Cahill and Rafa? That's a lot of cash for not much production.

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You'd better watch your back. You make too much sense.

Oh, and, BTW, Red Bull isn't worried about the fans: along with de Bontin and Houllier they will be bringing in their own fans from Austria to populate the stands, for at least the rest of the season.

Soler had finally turned the corner in my opinion on player acquisition and roster construction under the auspices of the MLS structure. But he is responsible for the failures of Backe, Heck, overpaid DP Marquez, etc. It's been a mixed bag for sure.
I do not like the timing of this move though. I have to believe that the financial situation must be pretty bad currently for De Bontin to ascend to this post now. RBNY must be hemorrhaging money and De Bontin has been tasked with righting the ship, much like his tenure at AS Monaco. I worry that enduring yet another front office's learning curve will keep the Red Bulls treading water.
I would assume it's now MLS Cup or bust for Backe.

This change is a bit of a head scratcher. The learning curve for a "foreign" general manager in MLS is usually severe. The new guy was educated in the U.S. apparently, but how much time has he spent here? How well does he know the ins-and-outs of MLS player acquisition rules?

This franchise is at a very critical juncture timing wise.

It's a general rule of thumb in the sports business that there is a three-year "bump" after a team moves into a newly built stadium. Attendance spikes for a bit, but after three years the newness fad is over and crowds revert back to their previous size. (I haven't looked at the numbers recently, but did a bump ever actually happen in the first place -- with any sizable increase?)

2013 will be "season four" in Red Bull Arena. No more "bump."

And it all comes after Chris Heck obliterated the season-ticket-holding fanbase in Sections 125, 126 & 127.

If this team really wanted to do something good, they could start by rolling back the season ticket prices to pre-Heck levels, issue a public apology, and invite back all the former season-ticket holders who fled when prices unfairly doubled.

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Exactly right. My guess is that season ticket renewals was the final straw.